 | 2001 Lexus GS More powerful V8 makes this sports sedan a blast to drive.
By Mitch McCullough and Mike Quincy,
New Car Test Drive .com |
Overview
While the Lexus GS series isn't new, the GS 430 is. The 2001 model gets a new 4.3-liter 300-horsepower V8 engine with increased torque (now 325 foot-pounds). This extra boost propels the GS 430 to 60 mph in less than six seconds, and makes the V8-powered GS quicker than comparable models from Acura, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. The six-cylinder GS 300 is no slouch either. With 220-horsepower on tap, the GS 300 goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.8 seconds. Both GS models are a joy to drive and deliver impressive handling, supreme comfort, and typical Lexus build quality -- which is consistently ranked among the best in the industry. Model Lineup
Two models are available in the Lexus GS series: GS 300 ($38,555); GS 430 ($47,355). GS 300 has a high-output 220-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-6. The 2001 model has steering wheel controls to manually shift the transmission. The wickedly fun GS 430 comes with a 4.3-liter double overhead-cam V8 that produces 300 horsepower. Both come with five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmissions. Our GS 430 came with the Premium Package ($2,540), which includes a six-disc in-dash CD changer, power moonroof, and heated front seats.
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